Just a few weeks after Samia Smith announced her marriage split, it appears she has moved on with her Coronation Street co-star Will Thorp.

The actors, whose characters Maria Connor and Chris Gray have recently started dating, have grown close to each other since splitting from their respective spouses.

On Friday, they were both photographed shopping together at Kendals department store in central Manchester.

Moving on: Samia Smith and Will Thorp in between filming scenes for Peter and Leanne Barlow's wedding blessing in Manchester last week

And a week ago, they were seen talking in between takes as they filmed scenes for Peter and Leanne Barlow's wedding blessing at a Manchester church.

Mother-of-one Samia, 28, revealed on January 4 that she had separated from property developer husband Matthew Smith, 34, after five years of marriage.

Former Casualty actor Thorp, 33, also ended his seven year marriage to wife Samantha - mother of his two children - before Christmas.

Although Samia and Will insist they were single before their relationship began, their romance is an open secret on the Corrie set.

Samia is currently living with her mother Patsy in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and is sharing custody of her 15-month-old daughter Freya with Matthew, who resides in their former family home in nearby Alderly Edge.

Separation: Samia and her estranged husband Matthew before their split

A source told The News Of The World: 'They are in love and feel they will be together forever.

'If
it lasts fair play to them. But they have only known each other for a
short while. Now they are spending all their spare time together.'